Editing Krakatoa (section)

=== Botanical studies ===
From a biological perspective, the ''Krakatau problem''<ref name="Backer">{{cite book|last=Backer|first=Cornell's Andries|title=The Problem of Krakatau, as Seen by a Botanist|publisher=author, at Weltevreden, Java|year=1929}}</ref> refers to the question of whether the islands were completely sterilized by the 1883 eruption or whether some indigenous life survived. When the first researchers reached the islands in May 1884, the only living thing they found was a spider in a crevice on the south side of Rakata. Life quickly recolonized the islands, however; Verbeek's visit in October 1884 found grass shoots already growing. The eastern side of the island has been extensively vegetated by trees and shrubs, presumably brought there as seeds washed up by ocean currents or carried in birds' droppings (or brought by natives and scientific investigators). However, the floral ecosystem on Rakata is considerably vulnerable to environmental factors, and has been damaged by recent eruptions at Anak Krakatau.